Sports

C.W. Post pulls in impressive haul of city standouts

Xaverian's Sean Binckes will join Folkes at C.W. Post.

Xaverian’s Sean Binckes will join Folkes at C.W. Post. (Denis Gostev)

A week before National Signing Day, Kareem Folkes had no idea what he was going to do. Shane Hubbard was unsure himself.

Two of the PSAL’s top offensive weapons – Folkes, The Post’s Player of the Year, from Lincoln and Hubbard, one of the city’s most dynamic wide receivers, out of John Adams – held offers from Division II C.W. Post on the one hand, but also were clinging to that Division I dream on the other. A weekend in Brookville, L.I., spent together coincidentally, changed all that.

Realizing the opportunity in front of them, the two signed National Letters of Intent to C.W. Post on Wednesday, along with five other area standouts – defensive linemen Dylin Lewis of Poly Prep and Keyon Barnwell of Lincoln, center Jesse Gwin of Archbishop Stepinac, offensive lineman Keith Mittenzwei of Monsignor Farrell and Xaverian wideout Sean Binches – in the 18-man recruiting class.

“We worked real hard in the city and came away with some great kids that can be big-time players for us,” Post head man Bryan Collins said.

Hubbard was sold on Post after he left his visit, while Folkes still wasn’t quite sure. He spoke with Binckes over Facebook and decided Tuesday night after a thorough and tedious, three-hour discussion with his parents.

“To know my parents don’t have to go in their pocket, it’s a blessing,” said Folkes, who led Lincoln to its first city title since 1993 and produced a league-leading 28 rushing touchdowns and 1,748 yards rushing.

The city standouts aren’t joining any ordinary Division II program. Post is coming off an impressive 7-4 season and 6-1 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, one of the nation’s top Division II conferences, which it joined three years ago. Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn (Shippensburg) and New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Jahri Evans (Bloomsburg), in fact, came from the elite conference.

“We really have a shot to do some big things there,” Binckes said.

Collins, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, is pleased with the entire class. He plans to use the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Binckes as a pass-catching tight end in Post’s spread offense the way the Patriots utilize Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.

“Sean can become a tremendous force at tight end,” Collins said. “I think that kid will be special for us.”

He could see Folkes getting some reps this year behind a bunch of juniors and Collins labeled him the program’s back of the future. Hubbard will learn behind a group of seniors and could make a big impact as a sophomore if all goes well.

“The offense they run, it gives us a chance to make plays and show our talents,” he said.

Hubbard, who scored 11 touchdowns and posted 39 receptions for 672 yards in leading Adams to the playoffs, was thrilled when Folkes told him he would be joining him at C.W. Post. The two went head-to-head – on both sides of the ball – in the opening round of the playoffs, a 54-6 Lincoln rout.

“I’m looking forward to being on the same side of the ball as him,” Hubbard said.

The three were all smiles on Wednesday, even if their Division I dreams were never realized. Hubbard said he came to the realization over the weekend and it was silly in the first place. Post had everything he wanted in the first place, from a free education to opportunity to play fairly early in his career to a coaching staff that clearly wanted him.

“If opportunity knocks at your door, you have to open it,” he said. “This college wanted me, so I’m not going to turn away from someone who wants me. They’re giving me a full scholarship. Why not do it?”

Folkes asked himself that same question Tuesday night and couldn’t come up with an answer.

“I felt I could really be a productive player at C.W. Post,” he said. “As long I graduate, I have a great future.”

zbraziller@nypost.com